Rule #3: Changing The Rules

[36]

"It's your favorite... large, cream cheese milktea without pearls and 25% sugar." aniya at pinasok ang straw.

My lips parted a bit. He still memorizes my favorites.

"Thank you," tipid akong ngumiti at tinanggap iyon.

I sipped on my milktea while watching him. He's wearing a formal suit, like a well respected lawyer. His hair is brushed up as usual, wala ni isang hibla ng buhok na humaharang sa mukha niya.

He looks so professional and hot at the same time. I haven't seen him on court, but I bet he's good. Siyempre, dahil top 1 nga siya ng BAR last year.

"Did he hurt you?" he asked calmly. "Si Troy. May ginawa na naman ba siya sayo?"

Lumunok ako at naalala ang nangyari kanina. Kahit ilang beses niyang akong hinalikan kanina, all that I felt is pain and anger. I really loved him, but all of that love is gone. Lalo pa sa ginawa at sinabi niya kanina.

"I'm sorry... it's okay if you won't answer it." umiwas siya ng tingin.

"He asked me to bear his child," I mindlessly said. I scoffed, fists clenching. "Tangina niya, anong gusto niyang mangyari? Na matapos niya akong lokohin, papayag lang ako na magpaanak sa kanya?"

Pumikit ako at pinigilan ang galit. I didn't want to overshare to him. Baka may masabi pa akong di niya dapat malaman.

"He said... it's the only way to stop our families from fighting." umiling ako.

"There's still another way..." Prince replied.

Tumingin ako sa kanya.

"What?"

Sumeryoso ang tingin niya, nag-iisip at parang ayaw sabihin ang naiisip.

"I talked to Dad... he told me he wouldn't do it..."

Umawang ang labi ko. Ano pa nga ba inaasahan ko? Who would take up a case that's beyond hopeless?

"I begged him. I tried my best, Elisse. But he doesn't want to be involve in such—"

"That means the deal is off, right?" I interjected. "Hindi mo natupad ang isa sa hiling ko. We can stop this, already!"

Umiling siya.

"Hindi pa ako tapos..." he told me.

Kumurap ako. Seryoso lang ang titig niya na parang ayaw na akong pakawalan.

"If my Dad won't do it, then I will."

Namilog ang mata ko.

"Prince!"

"You are left with no other choice. I can drop one of the cases, I'm handling for this. I think I'm credible enough to represent your father. Hindi rin naman—"

Paulit-ulit akong umiling.

"Ayoko! The deal is to have your father represent mine in court! Paano ako makakasigurado na kakayanin mo 'to, ha? You're just new! You may have won a lot of cases now, but it's different from Tito Aurelius!"

He gulped a bit and jaw clenched. I know how much he hates to represent murderers. Maski ako nga na anak ni Daddy ay naniniwalang siya talaga ang pumatay.

"You hate murderers... baka imbes na makawala si Daddy, ipatalo mo lang ang kaso..." kinuyom ko pa ang kamao at pumikit ng mariin bago tiningnan siya ulit.

"I won't," he looked at me. "Because I love you and finishing this case will bring back your peace of mind. I'm willing to gamble and forget my morals. Basta, matahimik ka lang at mapayapang mabuhay kasama ang anak mo."